Metronidazole when does it expire

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any other effects. View more information about myVMC. Please be aware that we do not give advice on your individual medical condition, if you want advice please see your treating physician.

Parenting information is available at Parenthub. Are you a Health Professional? Jump over to the doctors only platform. Click Here. Generic Name: metronidazole benzoate Product Name: Flagyl Indication: What Flagyl is used for Flagyl is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria and other organisms in different parts of the body. It is also used to prevent or treat certain infections that may occur during surgery.

There is no evidence that this medicine is addictive. Action: How Flagyl works Flagyl is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called nitroimidazoles. Flagyl contains the active ingredient metronidazole. Note: Metronidazole is inactive against aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria. Flagyl suppositories also contain hard fat. Do not drink alcohol during and for 24 hours after stopping treatment with Flagyl; You plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. Taking other medicines Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may be affected by Flagyl or may affect how well it works. These include: Warfarin or other medicines used to prevent blood clots; Antabuse disulfiram , a medicine used to treat chronic alcohol dependence; Medications containing alcohol ethanol , e.

If you do not understand the instructions on the box ask your doctor or pharmacist for help. Your doctor will decide the right dose for you. How to take Flagyl tablets Swallow Flagyl tablets whole with a glass of water, preferably during or after a meal.

Do not chew the tablets. This may help reduce the possibility of stomach upset. Page of 1. Filtered by:. Previous template Next. Cheryl C. I was prescribed Flagyl for an infection in June '09 however the infection went and I didnt take it. The infection came back a few days ago so I took the Flagyl I was prescribed last year. Is Flagyl dangerous to take once expired? She cautioned patients about being too pushy to get a prescription for antibiotics, especially if they have a viral infection.

The problem with mixing alcohol and medication is one of overlapping side-effects, not necessarily effectiveness, said Hall. She explained that, because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and a psychomotor impairment medication, any other drug that does either or both of those things will increase the effects. She added that any opioid medication, benzodiazepines such as lorazepam Ativan -a common anti-anxiety medication-as well as some antidepressants and anticonvulsants will make the effects of the drug more pronounced when mixed with alcohol.

Grapefruit, according to Hall, should be avoided when taking prescription medicine because it is known to inhibit one of the enzymes that is very active in metabolizing drugs. My stand on things is more of moderation. If you are on a medication and you are not at high risk for side-effects, then the occasional grapefruit isn't going to be harmful. Other items Hall suggested avoiding include any type of medication that would bind to other medications in your stomach.

Medications remain most stable in dry, cool spaces away from light. Keep the prescription bottle caps tightly closed and always keep medications out of reach of children and pets. An independent organization could also do testing similar to that done by the FDA extension program or data from the extension program could be applied to properly stored medications 1. The United States' Center for Drug Evaluation and Research officially recommends that drugs past their expiration date be disposed.

It has been argued that this practice is wasteful, since consumers and medical facilities are encouraged to purchase fresh medication to replace their expired products, also resulting in additional profits for pharmaceutical firms. Updated: August 13, , it turns out that the expiration date on a drug does stand for something, but probably not what you think it does. Since a law was passed in , drug manufacturers are required to stamp an expiration date on their products.

This is the date at which the manufacturer can still guarantee the full potency and safety of the drug. Medical authorities state that expired medicine is safe to take, even those that expired years ago.

It's true the effectiveness of a drug may decrease over time, but much of the original potency still remains even a decade after the expiration date. Excluding nitroglycerin, insulin, and liquid antibiotics, most medications are as long-lasting as the ones tested by the military.

Placing a medication in a cool place, such as a refrigerator, will help a drug remain potent for many years. Solid dosage forms, such as tablets and capsules, appear to be most stable past their expiration date. Drugs that exist in solution or as a reconstituted suspension, and that require refrigeration such as amoxicillin suspension , may not have the required potency if used when outdated.

Loss of potency can be a major health concern, especially when treating an infection with an antibiotic. In addition, antibiotic resistance may occur with sub-potent medications.

Drugs that exist in solution, especially injectable drugs, should be discarded if the product forms a precipitant or looks cloudy or discolored.